Frank Rogaly

Frank Rogaly (1909-1987). Public relations consultant. Director of Bookings company in Port Elizabeth. Theatre impressario and booking agent.

Biography

Youth

Theatrical debut in 1915 (age 7) in Port Elizabeth Opera House.

Career

Member of Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit in 1940.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

In Port Elizabeth he was a member of the *** Theatrical Society and was co-opted as a member of the first working committee of the Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of South Africa (FATSSA) in 1937/8*? to organise their second conference in Port Elizabeth.

With the outbreak of war became a founder member of the Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit under Major Myles Bourke, where he was responsible for a large number of productions in South Africa and in North Africa. His first wartime revue, Springbok Follies was a produced at the Empire Theatre in 1941 and played to capacity.

He found his niche working for ACT and directing. He directed the pantomime Dick Whittington for ACT’s last production of 1952 for which they brought out Terry-Thomas.

He was transferred to Port Elizabeth by ACT after one of his shows flopped at the box-office. He opened a booking facility in Port Elizabeth in the 1960s after he left ACT, Bookings and Theatre Consultants (Pty) Ltd. and became the person every management consulted about touring a show to that city. In this capacity he hosted numerous shows and personalities in Port Elizabeth over the years.

He was instrumental in saving the old Port Elizabeth Opera House from the demolishers, which led to it being declared a national monument.

Awards, etc

In 1987 becomes one of the first five recipients of the SACPAC Honours Award for his contirbution to the entertainment industry in South Africa.

Sources

SATJ, Sept. 1987.

Showbiz, June 1973.

Tucker, 1997. 18, 66-67.

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